No. 1 Arizona State Pitches Past Marshall, 5-0

March 25, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. - An Arizona State four-run third inning powered the top-ranked Sun Devils past the Thundering Herd softball team, in Tuesday evening's non-conference game at Farrington Stadium.

The Herd (12-17) managed six hits in the contest, two of them coming from the designated player, Samantha Rodriguez. Marshall had four other players register one hit in the contest.

Marshall ace Caitlyn Jackson (5-11) went six innings giving up five runs with three strikeouts.

ASU's Megan Elliot (14-0) pitched her 11th complete game of the season in the shutout effort. She surrendered all six Herd hits and walked one batter.

The Sun Devils (35-2) received the bulk of its runs in the third inning to break the game open. Rhiannon Baca started the inning with a single to right center. A strike out, fielding error and a pop up to center followed Baca's base hit. With Baca at second and Vasquez, who reached on the error, at first, Arizona State hit back-to-back doubles scoring three runs.

Second baseman Mindy Cowles hit the first double, while Caylyn Carlson added her sixth double of the season, a two RBI shot to left center. A single by Krista Donnenwirth scored Carlson from second and rounded out the Sun Devils scoring in the third.

Carlson added her third RBI of the game and and her 23rd of the season when she hit a solo home run in the sixth increasing the Sun Devil lead to 5-0.

The Herd threatened to score in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of base hits. Rodriguez started the inning with her second single of the game. After pinch runner Joscelyn Bitner entered the game for Rodriguez, a Jackson double put runners in scoring position for the Herd with no outs.

ASU's Elliot used two of her six strikeouts and a fielder's choice to close the inning without surrendering a run.

The Herd and Sun Devils will conclude their doubleheader at 7 p.m. at Farrington Stadium.

 Arizona State 5, Marshall University 0 (Mar 25, 2008 at Tempe, Ariz.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University. 000 000 0 -  0  6  1      (12-17)Arizona State....... 004 010 X -  5  8  0      (35-2)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn. Arizona State - Elliott.Win-Elliott(14-0)  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(5-11)  T-1:35  A-678HR ASU - Carlson (6).Weather: Sunny, hot and Arizonian

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Players Mentioned

Joscelyn Bitner

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Marshall University Athletics